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MN Sets Aside Half Million for Future Legal Costs

ST. PAUL, MN (AP) - The Minnesota Senate is setting aside a half-million dollars for future legal costs as it fights a federal lawsuit of a former senior aide.

The allowance is part of a new Senate budget for 2014, when Michael Brodkorb's lawsuit is due for trial.

The Senate has already spent more than $225,000 to defend against the lawsuit, with the money going to a Minneapolis law firm.

Brodkorb was fired in late 2011 after his affair with then-Majority Leader Amy Koch became public. He is suing for wrongful dismissal, arguing that women staff members involved in Capitol affairs in the past were treated differently than he was.

Senate attorneys say his firing was legitimate.

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